Carrigaline lose to Castlemartyr but progress to PIHC quarter-final on scoring difference

Castlemartyr 1-18 Carrigaline 0-20 

Carrigaline will face Ballinhassig in the Co-op Superstores PIHC quarter-final, after going through on scoring difference despite a one-point defeat against Castlemartyr last Sunday afternoon.

Castlemartyr's efforts fell short as they needed a three-point victory to secure a quarter-final place.

The result, however, guarantees their spot in the PIHC grade for another year thanks to a late Billy McGann point, boosted by Watergrasshill's victory over Valley Rovers.

Robert Foster, the Carrigaline netminder, pulled off a string of unreal saves, and praise must go to Steve Williamson for clearing a last-stop goal effort off the line from Castlemartyr sub Andy Kelly.

Brian Kelleher played his part for Carrigaline too, as he finished with 0-8, including four from play. Mike Kelly impressed for Castlemartyr with a tally of 0-6, all bar one from play.

It looked like things were going to head in favor of the imokilly side when Ciaran Joyce passed the ball to Brian Lawton who fed it through to Billy McGann who fired past the keeper 01-10 to 0-10 on 40 minutes. But they just couldn't hold out as their valiant effort just fell short.

The first half was a very close encounter with the opening score going in favor of the men in the blue and gold when Kelleher split the posts inside the opening minute.

Castlemartyr responded with two superb scores, the first from Darragh Joyce and the lead score from Jack McGann. Both teams traded point for point across the next 15 minutes. By that stage, it was 0-5 to 0-4 to Castlemartyr.

It was no surprise at half time that only two points separated the sides 0-10 to 0-8 to Castlemartyr. The same pattern continued in the second with very little between them.

On 55 minutes the score read 0-19 to 1-15 but a brace of points from Kelly put Castlemartyr back in the driver's seat. It was level again when Drake pointed with a minute of normal time to go.

Upsteped McGann for the lead score deep into stoppage time but time was not on their side as referee Ciaran Murphy brought proceedings to an end.

Scorers for Castlemartyr: B McGann 1-3, M Kelly 0-6 (0-1 65), B Lawton, B Lawton 0-2 each, M O'Dwyer, C Whyte, J McGann, D Joyce, A Kelly 0-1 each.

Carrigaline: B Kelleher 0-8 (0-4 f), D Drake 0-4, F O'Connell 0-3, R Mccarthy 0-2, C Barry, R O'Shea, E Desmond 0-1 each.

CASTLEMARTYR: D Bowens; C Whyte, J Lawton, C Martin; D Joyce, C Joyce, J Stack; B Lawton, B O'Tuama; J McGann, M Kelly, B Lawton; B McGann, M O'Dwyer, E Martin.

Subs: A Kelly for E Martin, C Sice for C Whyte, L Martin for J McGann.

CARRIGALINE: R Foster; D King, C Vaughan, S Williamson; K Kavanagh, D Griffin, D Stack; R Kelleher, C Barry; R Mccarthy, R O'Shea, F O'Connell; C Kearney, D Drake, B Kelleher.

Subs: N O'Keeffe for C Barry, E Desmond for C Kearney.

Referee:

C Murphy (Glanworth).